COVID-19 Resources for Downtown Businesses

Welcome

The team at the Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Lafayette Unlimited are focused on the health and safety of the businesses and residents in our district during these unprecedented times.

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation, collecting information about how to support local businesses during this time, and communicating up-to-date news and information as details that can impact our constituents are quickly changing. We have compiled a list of resources below and we will be updating this page regularly to help Downtown Lafayette businesses stay informed with accurate information to manage the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak.

If we can do anything to support you or you’d like to share information with us, drop us a line at [email protected].

NAVIGATION LINKS

Visit the Support Downtown Businesses page to learn how you can safely support local businesses and area musicians during the COVID-19 crisis. We will be updating this page regularly with information on what businesses in Downtown are open and if they have any special or sales or the capability for online orders and curbside pick up.

Restaurants & Bars

Latest Information on State Mandates for Bars and Restaurants

Establishments with Class-AG permits are subject to the temporary shutdown from the Governor’s office and must remain closed.

All bars are prohibited from conducting any sales whether on-premise or for pick-up or delivery.

Restaurants will be closed to patrons eating on-site. Take-out, drive-through, and delivery orders are allowed.

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control has created a temporary rule for off-premise sales and will expedite delivery permits for alcohol.

Only restaurant permit holders are temporarily allowed to sell pre-packaged beer and wine in a factory-sealed container through drive-through or curbside pick-up.

Restaurant permit holders are able to apply for beer or wine delivery. ATC will expedite the issuance of all alcohol delivery applications. Businesses are encouraged to submit their applications online but may also submit applications by mail or via email directly to [email protected].

Read more:

SHOP LOCAL

Because Downtown Lafayette has such a large number of bars, restaurants, and cafes it is important that we recognize the impact that this crisis will have on the district’s economic health. We encourage you to support these and all businesses in Downtown using the tips and methods below. Please keep the safety of the community in mind and try to limit your exposure to other through social distancing.

Visit the Support Downtown Businesses page to learn how you can safely support local businesses and area musicians during the COVID-19 crisis. We will be updating this page regularly with information on what businesses in Downtown are open and if they have any special or sales or the capability for online orders and curbside pick up.

For Customers

Now, more than ever, small businesses need your support. Visit the Support Downtown Businesses page to see what businesses are curently open.

If you are doing business with a local provider and your needs have changed, do your best to postpone the work and not cancel.

We realize that the uptick in cancellations may feel alarming. Remember that these are all strategies to stop the spread.

Local musicians and performers will suffer greatly from the closure of bars and venues in Lafayette. We strongly encourage you to do what you can to support local musicians by purchasing their albums and music online.

“Toot n’ Scoot” Zones – Downtown Development Authority is currently working with LCG and LPD to establish to-go order pickup zones at designated parking spaces in front of Downtown restaurants. These “Toot n’ Scoot” zones will allow customers to pick up their orders from restaurants without leaving their vehicle.

For Businesses

The Downtown Lafayette office is working on a number of initiatives to support Downtown businesses through the crisis. We will continually update this page with more information. To get the most recent updates, we recommend you join the Downtown Lafayette Business Updates group on Facebook.

Gift Cards & Online Sales – For businesses that are permitted to be open but are seeing a decline in sales and traffic, we recommend transitioning to online sales and the sale of gift cards to maintain cash flow for your business.

Restaurant & Bar Restrictions – Due to orders from the State government, all bars are prohibited from opening. Restaurants are only permitted to sell food via pick-up or delivery orders. See our News + Updates section below for information about alcohol sales.

“Toot n’ Scoot” Zones – Downtown Development Authority is currently working with LCG and LPD to establish to-go order pickup zones at designated parking spaces in front of Downtown restaurants. These “Toot n’ Scoot” zones will allow customers to pick up their orders from restaurants without leaving their vehicle. If you would like a designated zone in front of your business, contact Hunter Hebert ([email protected]) for more information.

Musicians and Freelance Artists – We are working with Social Entertainment and Acadiana Center for the Arts on a campaign to support local musicians who have lost income from cancelled gigs. Stay tuned for more information. Here is a link to resources for freelance artists: covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com

Do you have an idea for how we can help to support businesses? Contact Matthew Holland ([email protected]) with suggestions.

Support for Employees

As bars, restaurants, and other businesses are forced to shut down, employees will be the first to feel the economic effects. We are searching for any available resources that can help local businesses support their employees during this crisis.

Information for Workers in Louisiana:

If your employment has been impacted for reasons related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease), please review the following information about assistance available. The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) will do all that we can to ensure impacted workers receive the benefits for which they are eligible.

Do any of these situations apply to you?

Your work hours have been reduced because of lack of work due to Coronavirus.

Your workplace closes temporarily, and you are not being compensated.

You have been instructed not to go to work, and you are not being paid while at home.

You MAY be eligible for unemployment insurance. You can file a claim at www.louisianaworks.net/hire or by calling the Louisiana Workforce Commission Claim Center at 866-783-5567.

Be sure to answer “yes” to the question, “Are you filing for Unemployment Insurance benefits for reasons related to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?” This will provide needed information to the LWC to help process your claim.

If your work hours have been reduced, partial benefits could be available to you up to a maximum of $247 a week. You must report any earnings for the week that you work, even if you’ve not yet been paid. Include all income, commissions, tips and gratuities. Report the gross amount before deductions. These earnings would be factored into the amount of unemployment benefits paid to you for that week.

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR EMPLOYEES

The Louisiana Workforce Commission posted a live video on Tuesday, March 17 with an update on their response to requests for unemployment claims. They have been overwhelmed with requests causing their website to crash at least once today but are working to increase their capacity for phone calls and web requests. The LWC has indicated that employees who were laid off or lost wages this week have until Saturday at 5:00 PM to apply for a claim on lost wages from this week. Here is a link to the application page: http://www.louisianaworks.net/hire

If you are a business owner or operator, PLEASE make sure you inform your employees if you have to reduce their hours or shutdown due to the virus.

LEDA has a comprehensive list of resources for artists, musicians, and service industry workers who have been affected by COVID-19 business closures. Click the link above to learn more.

Get Updates

News and policy changes surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak are happening constantly. We urge you to subscribe to our social media and email feeds and join the groups below to get the most up-to-date information on how the coronavirus is affecting Downtown businesses.

The Current has created a Lafayette Coronavirus Updates group that is providing general updates and news on the coronavirus for the Acadiana area.

Get email updates from our office

Our office maintains a email communications list for owners and operators of Downtown businesses and properties. If you would like to be added to this list, contact Matthew Holland ([email protected]).

Join the Downtown Lafayette Business Updates group on Facebook

Our staff has created a Facebook group for Downtown business owners and operators to receive updates on news and new resources for businesses as they become available. This will prevent you from having to return to this page regularly to learn new information.